North Carolina State vs. Texas Tech Expert Pick – March 21, 2024

NORTH CAROLINA STATE VS. TEXAS TECH EXPERT PICK – MARCH 21, 2024 – North Carolina State entered the ACC Tournament as the 10th seed and shocked the basketball world by winning five in a row to take the title and the automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

The unexpected tournament bid resulted in receiving the 11th seed in the South Region where they will face Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have been streaky this season rolling off a 10-game winning streak in December/January and had a four-game streak end in a loss to Houston in the Big 12 Tournament. 

Neither team are strangers to the Big Dance as they’ve both been in the tournament three times since 2018. This could be one of the best games played prior to this weekend. 

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The Odds 

Tipoff 

When: Thursday, March 21 at 9:40 p.m. EST 

Where: PPG Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

TV: CBS/FUBO/Paramount +

Public Bets: Unavailable 

Public Money: Unavailable

Odds courtesy of DraftKings, as of March 19th, 2024

NC State vs. Texas Tech In-Season Trends

The Wolfpack have a solid offense averaging 76.4 pts per game (98th) while shooting 45% from the field. They hit 35% of their three-pointers and shot 73.4% from the line. On defense they force 12.5 turnovers a game but give up 72.7 ppg. KenPom has them ranked 47th in offensive efficiency and 91st in defense. 

Texas Tech finished tied for third in the Big 12 going 6-5 against ranked opponents. While defense has historically been the trademark of the Red Raiders it’s their offense that has led this team this season with a 23 ranking in KenPom. 

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The Difference-Makers

Texas Tech is led by Pop Isaacs on offense averaging 15.9 points per game but has other playmakers to help. Joe Toussaint (12.1 ppg), Darrion Williams (11.4 ppg), Chance McMillian (10.9 ppg) and Devin Cambridge (10.5 ppg) are all above 10 points per game with Warren Washington averaging 9.9 points per contest.

NC State has four players that average double-digits with DJ Horne leading the way with 16.9 points per game. As a fifth-year player his leadership will be key if they want to get an upset victory. DJ Burns (12.4 ppg), Jayden Taylor (11.9 ppg) and Casey Morsell (11.5 ppg) round out the scorers.

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The Pick 

After watching NC State roll through the ACC Tournament defeating North Carolina and Duke in the process it’s hard to pick against them.

But they were facing familiar teams, many of which they already played. DJ Horne for NC State was on a mission this past week as he dropped 29 points against North Carolina as they rolled to the ACC Title.

Texas Tech relies on a team approach with Isaacs and Toussaint leading the way. The Big 12 and Texas Tech present a different challenge and the Wolfpack’s magical run comes to an end.